Starting September 1, representatives of Recruitment and Social Support Centers are mandated to use body cameras to document their activities.
This information was announced by the Ministry of Defense via social media.
The ministry stated that alongside this initiative, a special IT system is being developed to standardize and centralize the video recording processes for notification activities.
The new system will include:
- the purchase of standardized cameras;
- the creation of a secure centralized storage facility;
- the use of software for rapid video analysis.
The Ministry hopes that the use of cameras will help minimize conflicts, create a basis for evidence in disputed cases, and prevent abuses.
Recording will automatically begin as soon as the notification groups start their duties and will continue uninterrupted until they are completed. Exceptions will only be made in cases where military objects or sensitive information may be captured, as well as for personal needs of the employee.
Employees of the Recruitment Centers are strictly prohibited from deleting, altering records, turning off the camera, obstructing recordings, or sharing videos with unauthorized individuals.
Oversight of camera usage will be conducted by a designated individual in the Recruitment Center, while information from the recordings will be managed directly by the supervisor.
Upon completion of the notification groups' work, recordings from memory cards will be automatically uploaded to a secure centralized server. The retention period will be at least 30 days, but in cases related to investigations or legal proceedings, recordings will be retained longer.
Violating the camera usage rules may result in disciplinary action, ranging from reprimands to demotion, and referral of materials to law enforcement agencies.
The Military Law Enforcement Service will administer the information and telecommunications system. The Ministry assures that this will "mitigate the risks of unauthorized access to recordings and interference with the system's operations".
Why this is important: Recently, there have been increasing reports of recruitment center employees being accused of unlawfully detaining conscription-age men on the streets for mobilization purposes.
